[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji":3,"chapter-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-942":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Siheyuan: Food, Love, and Family in 1960s Beijing",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2314992,4526,"Chapter 942: Five-Million-Yuan Major Case","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-942",942,"\u003Cp>If the scale of industrial categories determines a company’s breadth, then employee sense of belonging determines its depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the current scale of industrial categories at the rolling mill, achieving scale and strength is merely a matter of effort and time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in terms of staff management and services, factory leadership—including Li Huai—clearly felt the urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared upward, the current welfare benefits of rolling mill staff are evenly matched; compared downward, they are more than sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the past, the change has been earth-shattering; now the focus is on comparing backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his own career planning, Li Huai’s current phase’s largest goal for the rolling mill is groupization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This process requires not only cadres to lead by example, but also full staff dedication, diligence, and hard work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dedication of labor, dedication of youth, even dedication of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai himself knew well that abruptly raising the enterprise’s development goals—and shortening the timeline to achieve them—would inevitably demand sacrifices from many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the sacrifices of leaving home and family behind for work across multiple sites and distant regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this process, spiritual incentives must be used—such as work grading, labor awards, skill evaluations, and quality commendations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the saying goes, even the emperor doesn’t shortchange his soldiers; feeding only spiritual nourishment isn’t enough—you need material rewards too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Li Xuewu’s proposed reward management guidelines, spiritual and material rewards must complement and reinforce each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, existing welfare benefits include the service department’s ticketless sales of trade goods, housing allocation policies for dormitories in residential areas, and priority hiring for staff children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While formulating related policies and services, consider both accessibility and advancement, as well as economic efficiency and representativeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Offer benefits unavailable at other factories—create stark contrasts—and elevate this sense of happiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the housing policy for struggling staff, Lang Zhennan’s report on the Workers’ New Village project appeared especially massive and advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan states that over the next five years, the rolling mill will gradually construct residential projects including workers’ apartments, workers’ housing, and cadre housing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goal is to solve the housing shortage for staff working in Jingcheng, and more importantly, to address future management challenges for enterprise staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supporting services in the residential zones will include workers’ clubs, schools (kindergartens, primary, secondary, vocational schools), comprehensive hospitals, activity squares, sports arenas, internal service markets, park savings, postal services, park broadcasting, park baths, and park logistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly achieving comprehensive service and management covering all aspects of life: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, birth, aging, illness, and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rolling mill is coordinating with Jingcheng authorities to develop an integrated industrial park along the Liangma River, combining ecology, residence, research, education, and production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Land sources mainly include applications, requisition, exchange, and purchase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu also discussed this matter in his meeting with higher-ups, insisting that factories being absorbed must include their land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This land will be exchanged or sold to surrounding enterprises, with proceeds used solely for land acquisition and exchange compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another source relates primarily to the planned workers’ housing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers’ housing differs from workers’ apartments and the current struggling-staff housing under construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struggling-staff housing has strict criteria: seniority, housing conditions, family circumstances, etc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers’ apartments are conventional dormitories for single workers—temporary lodging, not permanent occupancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But workers’ housing is different; Li Xuewu and Jing Yunong had thorough, in-depth discussions and, building on existing policy, formulated this land and funding collection plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s equivalent to commercial housing, but more modern and goal-oriented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget apartments—just consider struggling-staff housing: roughly twenty square meters, regardless of family size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No independent kitchen or bathroom, no basic renovation or facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the workers’ housing in the Workers’ New Village plan includes these: independent kitchen, bathroom, living room, balcony, and bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The application condition for workers’ housing is special: you must exchange your current housing—whether assigned by the rolling mill or privately owned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on comprehensive valuation of all housing inside and outside the city, combined with staff skill level and performance, exchange is made in three tiers: 40, 60, and 80 square meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If rated at the 40-square-meter tier but applying for 60 or 80, you must pay the additional construction cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some staff accustomed to frugal living will choose to wait for struggling-staff housing, gladly cramming their whole family into a 20-square-meter room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But many urban staff will gladly trade their flat for a building closer to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cleanliness, hygiene, advancement—no need to list them; free factory heating alone will win over many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struggling-staff housing requires evaluation—not everyone qualifies; Li Huai approved only 1,000 units for Gu Weijie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means, among the factory’s total 30,000 staff, after accounting for dual- or triple-staff households, the chance of securing struggling-staff housing is less than one in thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And struggling-staff housing construction must be completed within two years; once moved in, comparing it to workers’ housing brings a different feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Jing Yunong’s estimates, the number of staff working in Jingcheng will be around 10,000; these three housing models should meet 80% of staff housing needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining 20% may include staff who prefer living in flats, enjoy city life, or have family wealth and assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cadre housing is special—many cadres already own homes in the city, or their homes are better than those in the factory’s plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for cadre housing, the Workers’ New Village plan includes construction targets of 60, 80, 100, and 120 square meters, allocated by rank and organizational need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cadres with existing housing in the city or no housing need are excluded from allocation—but may exchange their current housing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The multiple plans all serve one goal: land consolidation and capital circulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Lang Zhennan reported the Workers’ New Village plan, Li Huai gave special instructions: he mentioned Li Xuewu’s remarks on the comprehensive hospital project and demanded that logistics and engineering departments take the initiative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must be secured; prioritize development, prioritize construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai rated this project as highly promising—it meets staff needs, achieves self-sufficiency, and even generates revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, nearly all cadres understand: in Director Li’s eyes, projects that only spend money aren’t good; projects that earn money without spending any aren’t good either!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only projects that spend money yet still make money are good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more money spent, the more money earned—the better and more successful the project, the more he supports it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it, think deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you understand, when you become a leader, you’ll do the same!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After recording Director Li’s instructions, Lang Zhennan raised the proposal to discuss building a workers’ health resort in Gangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resort would include health recovery, sports, training, hunting, orchards, skiing, hot springs—aimed at establishing the rolling mill’s own workers’ health resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his budget and revenue assessment for this project, Jing Yunong set standards for self-sufficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to familiar destinations like Nandaihe and Beidaihe, Gangcheng has unique geographical advantages and more convenient services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, the rolling mill has invested more in Gangcheng, and more staff will work there in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since Gangcheng hosts more heavy industrial enterprises, achieving a balanced profit-and-loss standard is entirely feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meeting reached no firm conclusion; Li Huai ordered further analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same rule: must spend money, must make money; loss-making deals are none of Old Li’s business—he doesn’t want to be the fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the production team reported, everyone’s eyes turned to Xiao Zihong as he stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This newly appointed deputy head of production was formerly chief of the Engineering Department and deputy head of the Security Team—Li Xuewu’s “old” subordinate, the veteran scapegoat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People paid attention not only because of his ties to Li Xuewu, but because the production team had long been out of favor with Director Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Cheng Kaiyuan’s relationship with Old Li need not be mentioned; Kuang Yusheng never respected Old Li; Ji Jiuzheng used to follow Xia Zhongquan, who also didn’t respect Old Li!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this entire group fell outside Director Li’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it’s up to Xiao Zihong to bring a little goodwill to the production team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zihong, reporting for the production team for the first time, was cautious—only reporting current heavy industry progress and existing R&D status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai said nothing; regarding Xiao Zihong’s appointment, he preferred to say, “Better than nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His caution and conventionality stirred no opinion or interest from Li Huai toward him or the production team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was good—Kuang Yusheng and Ji Jiuzheng didn’t find Li Huai’s attention anything to celebrate or be proud of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cadres like them, who rose through technical expertise, looked down on people like Li Huai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu was different—he understood a bit of everything; you couldn’t fool him, only he could fool you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Kuang Yusheng and others feared Li Xuewu’s manipulation, not Li Huai’s suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai stayed silent; Li Xuewu glanced at the solemn Xiao Zihong and emphasized: “Next time you report, include safety production status.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zihong’s carefully cultivated solemnity had zero effect before Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He naturally continued the superior-subordinate dynamic from the Security Team—everyone could see he readily accepted Li Xuewu’s instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zai couldn’t help smiling at Li Xuewu—this kid was clearly putting pressure on Xiao Zihong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu named the technical department and emphasized: “Focus on school-enterprise cooperation, broaden technical development channels, seize the opportunity to strengthen scientific research capacity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Li is very concerned about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slightly shifted his body, gesturing toward Li Huai: “Especially scientific development and technology transfer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Deputy Director Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Ji Jiuzheng nodded in response, Xia Zhongquan, the factory’s chief engineer, also replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In subsequent reports, Xia Zhongquan, representing the Technical Development Steering Committee Office, supplemented details on foreign technology imports and equipment procurement, core R&D in automotive and shipbuilding industries, and current research projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xia Zhongquan finished, Li Xuewu specifically called out Sha Qizhi of the Foreign Affairs Office, instructing him to prepare for the foreign business delegation’s visit at month’s end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai also gave instructions: the Foreign Affairs Office must closely coordinate with security and foreign affairs departments, actively cooperate, especially regarding confidentiality and safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Qizhi, now head of the Foreign Affairs Office, reported on related work and also described last Sunday’s reception of visiting progressive youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai was actually impatient with such visitors, but he couldn’t help smiling during Sha Qizhi’s report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially regarding the reception protocol design—he joked with Li Xuewu that this idea of his was clever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu didn’t back down, saying it was all thanks to Director Li’s leadership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their harmonious atmosphere eased the tension in the room; people could even crack a joke during reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when the Economic and Trade Office, last to report, sent up three men: Zhuang Cangshu, Lü Peizhong, and Cen Fuyao—three regions, three factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuang Cangshu represented the United Trade Center, reporting on the construction and trade operations of the Jinmen office and trade management center, including progress on offices in various regions, training, sales, and preparations for new offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Representing the Gangcheng Production Base, Yu Cenfu reported on the construction and management of industrial bases for hardware, automobiles, ships, electronics, and military industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Representing the United Tertiary Management Office, Lü Peizhong reported on the management of food industry, auto parts industry, and the united tertiary sector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This included production conditions for existing projects such as textiles, glass, packaging, and hardware—especially hardware items like radiators, explosion-proof equipment, fire-fighting gear, and special vehicles, all of which sold well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Lü Peizhong speak with rhythmic cadence and even crack a joke, Li Huai De  did not buy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not laugh, so no one in the room laughed; Lü Peizhong’s smile became the joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All these achievements you’ve reported were created by past colleagues in the United Tertiary Industrial Project Management Office—what are your own work plans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  looked at him sternly and said: “You and Yao Hui are both new to the United Tertiary Management Office, one as head, one as deputy. I strongly disagreed with this arrangement from the start.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you replace both the head and deputy of a project or department at once? It damages departmental management!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason things are this way now is because Xuewu recommended you both, detailing your respective situations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially Yao Hui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  nodded toward Jin Yaohui, seated at the edge, and emphasized: “You’ve just returned from the Frontier Office—you’ve moved from the front line to the back end. Don’t wear new shoes and walk the old path!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His criticism was severe, especially at this level of meeting, showing not the slightest courtesy to Jin Yaohui or Lü Peizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Yaohui’s return to the factory had already stirred gossip throughout the compound; everyone said he’d gotten lucky—only to end up eating shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed such a good leader, yet turned out to be useless. Though promoted half a rank after returning from the Frontier Office, he ended up as deputy of the tertiary sector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  directly exposed the rumors about Jin Yaohui in the meeting room—partly to distance himself, partly to appease Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This position was proposed by Li Xuewu, but also negotiated with Jing Yuyu by Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu effectively ceded a portion of his sphere of influence to Li Huai De  to accommodate Jin Yaohui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So you think Lü Peizhong is aligning with Li Huai De ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, he’s relying on Jing Yuyu’s connections—the United Tertiary Management Office was meant to be equally divided between Li Xuewu and her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De ’s third point was a hint to Jin Yaohui: he would offer no further support or help; everything left must be created by Jin Yaohui himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, these words were all implied within his expectations and demands that both continue to build on the existing achievements of the management office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who understood understood; when they looked at Jin Yaohui now, their gazes held no more caution, only amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In future competition with him, you couldn’t act openly—but secretly, you no longer needed to fear Director Li pulling strings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Open confrontation wouldn’t work; the leader’s secretary still carried a veneer of dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dignity was dignity, but now it looked thin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following a good leader doesn’t guarantee soaring success or the elevation of even dogs and chickens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It offers you opportunities to grow and train—not endless, cost-free support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most exemplary relationship was between Dong Wenhua and Li Xuewu; though not a secretary, it proved the importance of workplace mutual aid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Yaohui sensed the warning in his leader’s words and saw the profound glances cast his way by those present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, embarrassment, shame, regret, and wild resentment surged within him; his gaze toward Li Xuewu turned venomous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Xuewu hadn’t arranged for others to occupy the Frontier Office, how could he have returned to Beijing like a homeless dog, humiliated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Li Xuewu…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people, when they fail, always blame others unjustly—even attributing their failure entirely to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu didn’t notice Jin Yaohui’s resentful gaze, but Shi Ruoweng, seated behind Li Huai De , did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, both were deputy directors of the Management Committee Office—one sat beside Director Li presiding over the meeting, the other sat at the outer table taking notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ruoweng imitated Li Huai De ’s posture, listening intently to Li Xuewu’s speech, observing his performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His goal was certainly not to collect and compile a volume titled *The Brilliant Sayings of Deputy Director Li*—but to find Li Xuewu’s weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resentment and jealousy are brothers of evil, naturally drawn to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meeting ended, Shi Ruoweng sought out Jin Yaohui for a long private chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when Jin Yaohui followed him to Li Huai De ’s office to report work, he began lodging complaints against Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Shi Ruoweng had been the chief clerk in the factory office, a seasoned writer; during his service to Li Huai De , he naturally had a good relationship with Jin Yaohui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What good could two such men do together? Jin Yaohui merely received assurances, promises, and so-called conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, what Li Huai De  heard was Jin Yaohui’s report that Li Xuewu had come to the factory yesterday—last Sunday—to pick up Wang Zongli, even personally escorting her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Yaohui spoke with certainty and solemnity about how Li Xuewu came to pick up the woman, and how he had ulterior motives in helping Wang Zongli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He expressed strong disapproval, claiming Li Xuewu’s actions were inappropriate, clearly driven by personal interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside him, Shi Ruoweng noticed Director Li’s eyes flicker, then chimed in: “Deputy Director Li is deputy director of the Management Committee Office and head of the Security Group; he’s Wang Zongli’s colleague, now her superior. Picking her up is understandable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Yaohui was initially surprised—he’d thought their plan in the office was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he listened further, the words turned sour; he realized Shi Ruoweng was launching a counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, he pointed out Li Xuewu held too many positions and wielded excessive power, and his private contact with someone like Wang Zongli—well-connected—was suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad: Li Huai De  had initially been suspicious, even feeling that cautious string inside him taut and trembling under their manipulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That string, alerting him to watch Li Xuewu, had long been tightly drawn in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after hearing Shi Ruoweng’s analysis, he found their coordinated act laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Li Xuewu really need to flatter or court Wang Zongli for connections?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t surprising Shi Ruoweng was so ignorant—he truly didn’t know Li Xuewu’s background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never reached this level before; no one had ever told him who attended Li Xuewu’s wedding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a few factory leaders attended—who would gossip about such things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wei Zai told him on Sunday why Li Xuewu came to the factory, he didn’t mention this at all—he’d picked up a stone only to drop it on his own foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  didn’t blame him, but he rebuked Jin Yaohui, calling him a troublemaker, ungrateful, heartless, and immoral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added that Jin Yaohui should focus on work, not waste time on idle gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Haiyang entered with documents, he happened to see Jin Yaohui being scolded by Director Li, humiliated, covering his face as he fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he handed Director Li Wang Zongli’s sick leave application and the higher-up’s transfer order regarding her, he heard an even harsher rebuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Useless mud that won’t stick to the wall!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  shot a sharp glance toward the office door—Jin Yaohui had already left, yet he was still furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zongli returned yesterday; today she submitted a sick leave application, and the factory received a transfer order for her—clearly premeditated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu came to the factory yesterday to pick her up—either to gather intelligence and mitigate fallout, or to get rid of this hot potato.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever he did, he was helping Li Huai De  clean up loose ends and eliminate future problems—yet Jin Yaohui still blabbed nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What good is such a person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slandering others, fabricating accusations, accomplishing nothing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Huai De  signed both applications, he instructed Li Haiyang to speed up the paperwork at Personnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Haiyang replied, glancing at the embarrassed Deputy Director Shi, thinking: With such limited cunning, you still think you can stir up trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe against others—but against Deputy Director Li, don’t wait until you crash to realize you can’t even cry properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply couldn’t understand why this man would frame Deputy Director Li; he’d heard no prior conflict between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And using Wang Zongli as a pawn—was his brain kicked by a donkey?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could’ve claimed Li Xuewu met Zhou Miaomiao at night—make up anything, since it couldn’t be investigated—and maybe Director Li would’ve suspected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only possible reason Li Xuewu came to pick up Wang Zongli yesterday was to exploit waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to use Wang Zongli’s last lingering regrets and resentment to trigger a backlash against those in the factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad: judging from today’s outcome, Wang Zongli clearly didn’t fall for it—she even gave Deputy Director Li a slap on the back of the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if you say Deputy Director Li lost anything, it was only his Sunday rest time and the brain cells spent devising this scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But do you think someone like Deputy Director Li needs many brain cells to come up with such a plan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  tidied his desk, deliberately ignoring Shi Ruoweng, yet softly criticized him: “Making a mountain out of a molehill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added: “Don’t bring me baseless rumors again—it harms unity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I’m sorry, Director Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ruoweng dared not lie or defend himself, admitting his mistake willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he also sensed something different in the director’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If baseless claims can’t be brought up, then what about claims with evidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Comrade Xuewu~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  paused, then said: “He plans his work, follows method, shows courage, treats people fairly and kindly—you should learn from him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t underestimate his age!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head and nodded at Shi Ruoweng: “In the Management Committee Office, you’re the deputy responsible for organizational work; he’s the deputy responsible for coordination. That’s clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me be clear: cultivate a good relationship with him—there are many ways to leverage his influence. Think of Xu Si, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he glanced at his watch and said casually: “Oh, it’s already this late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ruoweng naturally understood his leader’s implication, quickly affirmed his stance, and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Haiyang couldn’t understand why Shi Ruoweng targeted Deputy Director Li—was it because Director Li had used Deputy Director Li’s drafts a few times?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li had indeed said Deputy Director Li’s writing was better—could that be the reason for jealousy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know: jealousy needs no reason; failure does.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai De  watched Shi Ruoweng’s retreating back and thought deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opening he’d just given Shi Ruoweng stemmed more from his inner caution toward Dong Wenhua and Li Xuewu, the master-disciple pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The factory’s management environment has clearly improved—it’s time to curb Li Xuewu’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Ruoweng’s timing was perfect; his reasoning was weak—but Li Huai De  was happy to ride the current.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it works out, everyone’s happy; if problems arise, then it’s naturally Shi Ruoweng acting on his own initiative, sowing discord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does it mean to be busier the more you work? It means no matter how hard you work or how fast you rush to meet deadlines, there will always be sudden new tasks waiting for you in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu had just returned from the canteen after lunch, chatting idly with Wei Zai and the others, watching some entertainment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectacle was that Liu Lan’s lover had come to the factory looking for her; he didn’t seem to want reconciliation, more like showing off—he gave her some money and cursed loudly, talking about “thirty years on the east bank of the river,” quite amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In winter, post-meal entertainment was truly boring; in summer, you could still stroll along Tuanjie Lake, form a stinky little clique, and make some people jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that’s impossible—even if the water in Tuanjie Lake remained warm, it couldn’t stop the greenery along the shore from gradually withering and dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this bitter cold, thick fog often hung around Tuanjie Lake; if someone fell in and drowned, it would be a humiliating death, unclear and undignified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might think Li Xuewu fears nothing, but he’s actually afraid of water—afraid of the hidden currents beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t dismiss this as superstition; though it sounds like superstition, scientific knowledge truly can’t explain these things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the dead ghosts in water—those who drowned in ice holes during winter, or were murdered and shoved under the ice—are especially strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter where you put them or where they fell in, they’ll float up again next year in the exact same spot—even without ice to hold them, they won’t drift away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time he saved a child near the bridge, he later thought about it and felt a chill—how could he know if something unclean lurked there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on land, he fears nothing; if someone dares to scare him, he’ll grab a shovel and explosives at midnight and dig up your grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But underwater? He lacks the power to sever a great river, nor does he possess the supernatural ability to move freely beneath the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saving someone there relies purely on courage, so it’s not recommended for ordinary people—first protect yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu also dislikes dead ghosts in water because, after lingering too long, they inevitably swell up—disgusting to look at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’d think he fears this, and sure enough, right after he entered the office, Zheng Fuhua called him personally and mentioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve received a case: while patrolling, workers at Jinyuchi discovered a female corpse. The case is complicated—we need your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Xuewu rubbed his head. Zheng Fuhua was his former superior who had promoted and entrusted him, and also his direct superior in the steel mill’s security department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Public Security Team was transferred away, they’d rarely contacted each other—mainly because Li Xuewu feared causing him trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, when the steel mill held its new car launch, they invited Zheng Fuhua to attend, but there were too many people that day; they never got a chance to sit down and talk properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, when Zheng Fuhua called, Li Xuewu really didn’t want to take the job—it sounded terrible, especially since Zheng Fuhua himself had called, clearly indicating how serious the case was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu was no longer with the branch bureau; the steel mill’s security department rarely involved him directly, so their connection had weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be called by Zheng Fuhua for help left him both helpless and awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Comrade Zheng, I just finished lunch~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, sorry about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua heard the resignation and emotion in Li Xuewu’s voice, chuckled lightly to apologize, then said seriously: “If I had anyone else or any other option, I wouldn’t be calling you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the situation now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu sat back down at his desk, uncapped his pen, and pulled out a sheet of paper to take notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua, hearing his tone, knew Li Xuewu had accepted the task, and continued: “The body is still at the scene; branch personnel are collecting evidence. I remembered last year’s case you handled—the one with the body hidden under ice, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu nodded. That case was connected to his current driver—the body under the ice belonged to Han Jiankun’s father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The circumstances are very similar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua said: “Likely the same motive—to destroy evidence. Water makes it easier to disguise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about this: I’ll go there too. Would you mind accompanying me to the scene?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I dare say it’s a burden in front of you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled, then asked seriously: “Comrade Zheng, is the victim someone with special status?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, you guessed it, didn’t you? Your mind is still as sharp as ever!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua paused on the phone, then said: “Don’t worry—it has nothing to do with you, and won’t Qianche  you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared Li Xuewu might carry psychological burdens, especially since his transfer from the branch bureau was precisely to avoid this kind of complexity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood Li Xuewu’s background and his choice—some cases simply aren’t easy to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he first reassured Li Xuewu, then explained: “The branch bureau has been handling a major case for nearly two months, still with no leads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And today’s corpse is the key figure—she’s tied to a 50,000-yuan theft case. We’ve had to escalate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty thousand?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu frowned into the phone: “Who has that much money? And what does ‘escalate’ mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t think Li Xuewu is overreacting—even in the future, five thousand yuan was a threshold for opening a case, let alone fifty thousand in this era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Escalation means the branch bureau takes over. I’ll be in charge, with Comrade Lai Shanchuan handling the case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua first explained the escalation, then added: “The crime occurred at the credit cooperative—it involved cash from the vault. The case is still unclear, so I can’t go into details.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu replied, then asked: “If Comrade Lai is leading, is it okay for me to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think this is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua fell silent for a moment, then asked sharply: “Don’t mix personal matters into your work. It applies to you, and to him too, alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well the relationship between Li Xuewu and Lai Shanchuan—not enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The political struggle was over, the outcome decided, the winner clear. Accept the result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan never harassed Li Xuewu afterward; Li Xuewu never caused him further trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were no longer on the same level, so Zheng Fuhua gently reminded Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He meant: grow up. Winning isn’t victory, losing isn’t defeat—don’t take outside matters too seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu only wanted to warn Zheng Fuhua: if something inappropriate happens later, neither of them will look good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone still has dignity—he didn’t want to personally re-engage in a feud with Lai Shanchuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would porcelain clash with earthenware?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinyuchi—the name was familiar to Li Xuewu, because his home had a jinyuchi pond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, his family’s pond was nowhere near the crime scene—it was too small even for Li Shu to swim in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mentioned his family’s pond because he suddenly recalled its connection to the crime location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he bought that pond, he met someone—the seller—named Sheng ShaoWei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zheng Fuhua mention Jinyuchi, he inexplicably connected it: Sheng ShaoWei’s family were fish farmers by Jinyuchi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he bought the pond, the man gave him monthly lectures on goldfish care—all for Qin Jingru’s benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came about three or four times; Qin Jingru learned everything, and then he stopped coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, recalling him, Li Xuewu remembered what Sheng ShaoWei had told him about Jinyuchi’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place no longer exists today—only the name remains. The Jinyuchi pit was dug during the Jin Dynasty to excavate earth for city walls, located just north of the Temple of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may not know Jinyuchi, but you know Longxugou, right?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stinking ditch from Lao She’s writings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was called Longxugou because, in folk legend, Zhengyang Gate was the dragon’s head, Tianqiao its nose, and Longxugou lay right beside the dragon’s nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stinking ditch connected directly to Jinyuchi—when Sheng ShaoWei was a boy, he fished from Jinyuchi and delivered fish to General Zhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How strange today was—think of Tuanjie Lake’s fog and drownings, and a call comes: someone drowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think of Jinyuchi and its link to Sheng ShaoWei, and when Li Xuewu arrived at the scene by car, he actually saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng ShaoWei stared blankly at him; Li Xuewu was equally speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you find it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng ShaoWei sighed helplessly at Li Xuewu’s question: “Guess I’m just unlucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu glanced at him with raised eyebrows—he looked thoroughly unlucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s freezing out—why aren’t you home? Don’t tell me you came here to fish!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng ShaoWei looked miserable, staring at Li Xuewu: “But I really did come to fish!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu was speechless at his expression, then asked seriously: “Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really! More real than gold!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng ShaoWei’s face was a picture of misfortune, pointing to the net on the ground: “This pit produces rare breeds every year. I couldn’t sit still—I had to come see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You fish in winter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow: “Won’t the goldfish freeze to death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Use some common sense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Sheng ShaoWei could answer, Zheng Fuhua, who had just arrived behind Li Xuewu, reminded him: “If you think that way, all fish would freeze and die in winter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~ You’re right~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu sniffed from the cold wind: “Fish don’t die in winter. Damn, you’ve confused me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng ShaoWei, seeing Li Xuewu blamed him for everything, looked even more unfortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m innocent, I swear~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>",5314,"2026-06-20T13:47:03.676Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e1c7971b8ec20a320a2fce147ca3c7a183c127a6ebb19e8f8551b062be4b328e","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-943","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-941",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-cover.jpg"]